I spend my weekdays encouraging, teaching, and motivating children to stretch beyond their limits and see their potential. I have the joy to of working in a "Leader In Me" school.

​A key principle of this leadership model is this, EVERYONE is a leader. It fits snuggly with our schools' mission statements and strategic plan....EVERYONE can learn and EVERYONE is a leader.

We might be leaders in different ways and with different venues but EVERYONE can be a leader. Some of our best leaders are creative. If Maya Angelou is right, and creativity is endless, there are no limits to where you can go and what you can do. What are you waiting for?

Are you using your creativity?

Happy Tuesday everyone! What have you been up to? I must admit, I haven't been up to much. This summer I made a conscience decision to relax and enjoy time with family, catch up on some sleep, and NOT plan. This is a challenge for me, I'm a planner. I'm the first-born-organizer.

Within a couple weeks I not only adjusted to not having a schedule or expectations on the calendar each week, I started to like it. As the school year starts and I attempt to "get in the groove", I find myself transitioning slowly back into routine.

In life we have choices to make each day, the first one might be automatic for most of you yet for some, it is the most challenging...the first choice you make is to swing your feet out from the sheets and get up in the morning. Stand up, breathe in a deep breath, and thank God for this new day.

This summer I chose to relax. This Autumn, I chose to meld my need for organization and planning with a more relaxed and laid back approach. It's a choice. A choice I believe will benefit my family, friends, and me.

What do you choose today?

What do you see when you look at this picture? Do you see an animal? Creature? Or do you simply see a log with pipe sticking out of it? Regardless of your imaginative state, let me share what I see in this picture. I bet it will surprise you.

This was on my Dad's deck the other day. I inadvertently walked past it and into the house. Dad asked, "Did you see your gift on the deck?" I admitted "No, must be I was day dreaming." I turned and looked out the window to see this. An instant, "That's awesome! I can't wait!" Dad smiled

Later that same day, after picking some tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden Dad and I assumed our positions on the deck to visit. Our minds are on the same wave length often and this was one of those moments. We both looked at this object and started laughing, at the same time.

We started listing off the animals or things it looked like. We had fun and then Dad said, I wonder what people driving by will think. "It looks like a giant ant, maybe someone will call an exterminator for you." Laughter....

Regardless of what you see in this picture, I see a gift-of-love from a Dad and Grandpa for his daughter and granddaughter. I see a memory of time spent visiting with my Dad. I see hope that joy isn't found in money but in the time spent and love shared between those we cherish the most.

What item in your house might not look like much to a visitor, but to you...holds one of life's greatest joy-filled memories? Will you share below?

Have you been writing on Wednesdays or did my lazies spread? Let's get our pencils & keyboards busy, let's do write. Are you ready?

Take a look at this picture I took while out for a walk. There is something about sunlight shining through the trees that grabs my attention. I've shared different pictures of trees and light in the past and there will probably be more in the future.

If you were out walking and looked up and saw this...what is the first thing you think about? ​Write about this in your journal today.

This tree sits atop a hill at my parents' house. It is beautiful and when its colors peak, it always brings me to a pause to enjoy it. Mom had Dad plant it directly above the garden so she could see it when she did the dishes. A wise woman she was.

Since Mom's passing, each time we look out the window and see the tree in bloom we remember Mom and think of her looking down on us. I often wonder if she knew we would. I know she loved this vision and I also believe she knew it was a legacy she left to us. Beauty, creation, and love...A "Hello" from heaven.

Do you have a tree or plant that reminds you of someone that passed away?Who and what type of plant is it?

In a fit of boredom I realized there are some fun apps for taking pics when using Facebook Messenger. Goofing around one day I took this picture and shared with a few people. It made them smile and I thought to myself...

"Self, maybe you aren't really avoiding the things-to-do-lists but instead fulfilling an internal need to relax and have a little fun?"

As I prepare to head back to work for the 2017-18 school year, this photo reminds me to have a little fun and not be so focused and attracted to work and to-do-items. We all deserve time to relax. I deserve time to relax. YOU DESERVE TIME TO RELAX...will you take time this week and enjoy it?

What helps you relax?

As my Dad and I visited the other day we noticed this frog chilling nearby. We enjoyed his presence and marveled at his lack of fear. He didn't jump to get away from us and since neither of us have a fear of frogs, we were able to continue our visit.

I don't remember what we talked about but in the middle of a sentence, we each just stopped and watched this frog. I took some pictures with my camera, yes this picture was taken with a phone camera. I told Dad, "I see this frog in a future blog." I didn't know how this frog tied into a blog but knew it would come to me.

I sent my dad the pictures I took and he said, "The frog looks so BIG in the picture." It was at this moment that I knew. In life we face different events or situations that seem overwhelming and discouraging at times. They are like this frog. They consume and overtake our every thought and are the only thing we see or can focus on.

BUT, when we slow down and take a moment to look at the entire picture, not just the subject at hand, we release something freeing and encouraging. Instead of a big frog or problem, we realize, it's only a small part of the big picture.

The next time you are tempted to feel overwhelmed or discouraged, remember this frog and remember to expand your sight to take in the entire picture. There is room for growth, change, and hope.

Available on Amazon.comW﻿here's Heidi? One Sister's Journey *When the Waves Subside: There is Hope *Encourage Others: One Day at a TimeNo More Pain: I Can Fly *YOU are a Rainbow *Goal Setting for a Renewed You*Also available on Kindle*

No Photographs, for any reason, from this site may be used without written permission from Lisa M Buske. Thank you for respecting this.